Written Answers Thursday 18 March 2010

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what agricultural support payments, including those fully funded by the EU and co-funded by the EU and the Scottish Government, were made to Her Majesty the Queen or her agents in 2008-09.

Richard Lochhead: The following payments were made to Sandringham Farms during the period in question:

  

 Single Farm Payment Scheme 2008 
£12,236.76


 Less Favoured Area Support Scheme 2008
£385.00


 Land Management Contracts Menu Scheme 2008
£6,063.75


 Rural Stewardship Scheme 2008-09
£3,543.39



  These payments are made only where the appropriate regulatory requirements have been met by the applicant, in relation to land in Scotland. SFPS is paid under EC Regulation 1782/2003 and the remaining schemes are paid under EC Regulation 1257/1999.

Alcohol

David McLetchie (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a briefing to opposition spokespersons on the implications of the judgements in cases C-197/08 Commission v France, C-198/08 Commission v Austria and C-221/08 Commission v Ireland for the legal competence of the Scottish Government’s use of mechanisms referred to in those cases.

Nicola Sturgeon: On 15 December I wrote to party leaders offering a briefing on the Alcohol Bill and I welcome the fact that the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and SNP members took up that offer.

  In respect of the recent ruling on tobacco I am happy to provide a briefing to opposition spokespersons on the cases mentioned.

Alcohol

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with the UK Government in relation to minimum pricing for alcohol.

Nicola Sturgeon: We have regular discussions with the UK Government about alcohol policy and we are pleased that only last week at the debate in the House of Commons on the Health Select Committee’s report on alcohol, the UK Government did not rule out minimum pricing for alcohol.

Ambulance Service

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to retain and increase the number of volunteer drivers to provide vital patient transport services in remote parts of Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government recognises and welcomes the commitment of the Scottish Ambulance Service to work towards improving the patient transport service for those patients who are eligible to receive the service. How the Scottish Ambulance Service delivers that commitment – and responsibility – is for it to determine. The Scottish Ambulance Service is also aware of the extent to which the Scottish Government and I, in particular, value the contribution of all volunteers who support the NHS.

  Better Health, Better Care committed the government to developing a national approach to travel management. In taking forward that commitment we drew up and issued, on 27 November 2009, a Healthcare Transport Framework which provides guidance to NHS boards on the need for them to draw up action plans which will support patients who require support and help in getting to and from health care appointments. I understand that most recently on 16 March 2010 NHS Highland met with the Scottish Ambulance Service and other transport providers to discuss how best to meet these access challenges for the people of the Highland area.

Burial and Cremation

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether doctors can charge for signing cremation certificates and, if so, what the level of charge is.

Shona Robison: Two forms (B & C) must be completed by separate doctors. These additional procedures are required to enable cremation to proceed. Each doctor is paid £71 for this function as the signing of the forms is not regarded as an NHS activity. The content of these forms is prescribed in legislation.

  We are currently consulting on proposals for new arrangements with regard to death certification, with a view to improving the level of clinical governance in this area.

Burial and Cremation

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason the signatures of two doctors are required for cremation certificates.

Shona Robison: Cremation is clearly irreversible and this additional check was introduced in the early 20th century as a safeguard against disposal by cremation until concerns or suspicion around the [cause of] death had been fully addressed.

  We are currently consulting on proposals for new arrangements with regard to death certification, with a view to improving the level of clinical governance in this area.

Central Heating

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many central heating installations there were between April 2009 and end of February 2010 under the terms of the Energy Assistance Package, excluding those installed under legacy provisions.

Alex Neil: To the end of February 2010, the Energy Assistance Package delivered 7,127 heating system measures.

  Four thousand, two hundred and sixty-six result from our commitment to complete the previous programme.

  Three thousand and five systems were installations from applications this financial year.

Climate Change

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29958 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the First Minister in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29961 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which she undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in the last three years in order to reduce her carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29964 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29967 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29969 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29971 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29959 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which she undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution in the last three years in order to reduce her carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29960 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Parliamentary Business in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29962 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which she undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Public Health and Sport in the last three years in order to reduce her carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29963 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Housing and Communities in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29965 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29966 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Schools and Skills in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29968 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Children and Early Years in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29970 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which he undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Community Safety in the last three years in order to reduce his carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29972 by Stewart Stevenson on 14 January 2010, what changes in the manner in which she undertakes official duties have been implemented by the Minister for Environment in the last three years in order to reduce her carbon footprint and what the estimated total reduction is.

John Swinney: Scottish ministers’ activities in connection with the government estate are covered by the Scottish Government’s environmental targets and the Carbon Management Plan. These aim to deliver a 30% reduction in emissions from energy use by 2020, with an interim target of a 12.6% reduction by 2011 from a 1999-2000 baseline.

  Projects underway include energy awareness campaigns, rationalisation of printers, removal of water coolers and energy efficient lighting. Projects planned into the future include voltage reduction technology and new centralised building management system.

  Emissions attributable to business travel have also been targeted in the Scottish Government’s travel. Air and car travel, including ministerial travel, are subject to a carbon levy.

Drug Misuse

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many adults in the Lothians region reported using drugs in the last month in crime and justice surveys in the last three years, broken down by type of drug.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2008-09 is the only source for this information at sub-Scotland level. Information is not available at regional level however information is available for Lothian and Borders Police Force Area.

  The following estimates for Lothian and Borders Police Force Area are based on self-reported data, gathered through a household survey, on illicit drug use amongst adults in the general population aged 16 years or over.

  Self-Reported Drug Use in Lothian and Borders Police Force Area in the Month Prior to Survey Interview

  

 
 Estimated Number in Lothian and Borders
 Estimated % of Adults in Lothian and Borders


 Amphetamine
 1,000
 0.1%


 Cannabis
 31,000
 4.0%


 Cocaine
 11,000
 1.4%


 Crack
 1,000
 0.1%


 Ecstasy
 8,000
 1.0%


 Heroin
 1,000
 0.1%


 LSD
 2,000
 0.3%


 Magic Mushrooms
 3,000
 0.4%


 Methadone/Physeptone
 1,000
 0.2%


 Temazepam
 *
 0.1%


 Valium
 1,000
 0.2%


 Anabolic Steroids
 -
 -


 Poppers
 2,000
 0.2%


 Crystal Meth
 -
 -


 Ketamine
 3,000
 0.3%


 Glues, Solvents, Gas or Aerosols
 -
 -


 Taken any drug in last month
 35,000
 4.5%


 Not taken any drug in last month
 735,000
 95.5%



  Source: Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2008-09 (Lothian and Borders: 1,595 respondents). Estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand. Respondents may have taken more than one kind of drug in the last month.

  Notes:

  *Indicates that data are not available in data tables as unweighted base is below 50.

  -Indicates that no respondents gave an answer in the category.

Dyslexia

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting children with dyslexia in schools in Berwickshire.

Adam Ingram: It is for Scottish Borders Council to determine how best to meet the needs of children with dyslexia in schools in Berwickshire.

  The Scottish Government has provided funding of £29,000 to Dyslexia Scotland over the financial year 2009-10 to develop a comprehensive web based resource for all teachers and early years workers for the assessment of literacy difficulties and dyslexia. Already available as a pilot version online at www.frameworkforinclusion.org, the final version will be launched in early summer and will be accessible to staff in all local authorities and schools across Scotland.

  Through Curriculum for Excellence the Scottish Government is transforming education in Scotland and delivering better outcomes for all children and young people including those with dyslexia.

Employment

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to ensure the delivery of employability services for the hardest to reach unemployed residents in North Lanarkshire.

Keith Brown: North Lanarkshire’s Working is North Lanarkshire’s employability partnership. It has responsibility for ensuring the delivery of employability services to all workless groups in the North Lanarkshire area. In the past year, the partnership, which works with public, private and third sector partners to progress agreed employability activities, has progressed over 1,000 people into employment. The Employability Team within the Scottish Government continues to work with North Lanarkshire, and other local areas, to support its employability work locally.

Employment

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what third sector organisations were awarded contracts through North Lanarkshire Council’s working engagement fund in 2008-09.

Keith Brown: North Lanarkshire Partnership’s Specialist Job Brokerage Fund, now known as North Lanarkshire’s Working Engagement Fund, was tendered in 2008-09 for the delivery of employability focused services aimed at helping the hardest to reach client groups within North Lanarkshire. This resulted in the award of contracts to the following third sector organisations for 2008-10:

  Reeltime Music

  Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health

  Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health Recycle (two contracts)

  Bellshill and Mossend YMCA (two contracts)

  Airdrie Citizen’s Advice Bureau

  Monklands Women’s Aid

  Kirkshaw’s Neighbourhood Centre

  Haven Products

  Utheo

  Street League

  Shaw Trust

  Right Track

  One Parent Families Scotland.

Employment

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes are being made by the North Lanarkshire Partnership to the tender specification for the allocation of awards through the working engagement fund for 2010-11.

Keith Brown: The tender for North Lanarkshire’s Working Engagement Fund is largely the same specification as the previous tender for the Specialist Job Brokerage Fund. The name of the fund has been changed to more accurately reflect the nature of the activities that the North Lanarkshire Partnership is looking to contract. The fund is now £300,000 over one year where it was previously £400,000 over two years. This represents a 50% increase in the fund for the year 2010-11.

Equine Industry

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure compliance with the Horse Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2009.

Richard Lochhead: Local authorities have responsibility for enforcing the Horse Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2009 which were brought in to comply with European Commission Decision 504/208. Local authorities deal with breaches on a reactive basis. If information regarding a possible breach of the legislation is received it will be investigated in accordance with the local authorities enforcement policy.

  Breach of the Regulations is an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine up to the statutory maximum or three months imprisonment, or both. On indictment the penalty is an unlimited fine or two years imprisonment, or both.

Equine Industry

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been received regarding breaches of the Horse Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2009.

Richard Lochhead: Local authorities have responsibility for enforcing the Horse Identification (Scotland) Regulations 2009 which were brought in to comply with European Commission Decision 504/208. Local authorities deal with breaches on a reactive basis.

  Scottish Government does not hold a central record of complaints about breaches of the Regulation. Information received from local authorities to date indicates that only a very small number of complaints have been received.

Fair Trade

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in addition to trialling new fair trade goods in its catering services, wherever possible it will consider replacing current products with fair trade equivalents.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government remains open to considering adopting further fair trade and ethically traded products in addition to the range of such products currently used.

Fair Trade

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commit to increasing the proportion of its catering budget spent on fair trade produce in 2010-11.

John Swinney: In the financial year 2008-09 government staff spend on fair trade and ethically traded produce through the Scottish Government catering contract was £211,330, or 10.2% of total customer spend. In the 11 month period April 2009 to February 2010 the customer spend on fair trade and ethically traded produce is estimated as being around £255,000, or around 14% of total customer spend.

Fuel Costs

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken regarding the recommendations of the Fuel Task Force.

Alex Neil: In response to high fuel prices and the recommendations of the Fuel Task Force the Scottish Government introduced safety payments, grants for the purchase of fuel flow meters, support for fuel efficiency measures through the European Fisheries Fund and commissioned the Profitable Futures Report. Recommendations from the latter are currently being considered by the Scottish Fisheries Council. I expect that some of the ideas will heavily influence actions that will be undertaken as part of the Four Pillar Action Plan.

HM Revenue and Customs

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of HM Revenue and Customs.

John Swinney: Scottish Government officials are in contact with HM Revenue and Customs as a matter of routine. The most recent ministerial meeting at which HMRC was represented was a meeting involving the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism held on 22 February 2010.

Health

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in light of the publication of the research by Baker, Richard et al (2009), "Do the Quality and Outcomes Framework patient experience indicators reward practices that offer improved access?", British Journal of General Practice , vol. 59, no. 565, pp. e267-e272, what steps it is taking to ensure that the Quality and Outcomes Framework points reflect patient access.

Nicola Sturgeon: The main conclusion of the cited paper was that "an independent survey that directly investigates patients’ experience of access, coupled to a financial incentive, may be a more effective means of promoting improved access and continuity."

  The paper describes analysis of information from before the indicators on patient experience of access (PE7 and PE8) were added to the Quality & Outcomes Framework (QOF), and its conclusion supports the inclusion of such indicators since 2008-09.

  We are working with the profession and NHS boards to understand and improve access to general practice, and to discuss how the QOF can best reward good access in future.

Higher Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its new release of 6 March 2010, Tuition fees not on the agenda, what stakeholders it plans to consult on the future of university funding.

Michael Russell: As the news release makes clear, I will be talking and listening to students, student leaders, university principals, unions and the entire stakeholder community about what we might do in Scotland to provide a long term and sustainable funding solution – an appropriate Scottish solution – to funding universities in the future.

Higher Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to launch a formal consultation on the future of university funding.

Michael Russell: I have suggested that we might need to consult formally over the coming months and I will seek views from stakeholders on this before I decide.

Housing

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is providing advice to housing associations regarding changes that they may face in the Affordable Housing Investment Programme budget for 2011-12.

Alex Neil: Funding levels beyond the end of the current spending review period (2010-11) are not known at present. We are therefore currently unable to advise housing associations with regards to budgets for 2011-12.

Housing

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has provided an indication to local authorities on the Affordable Housing Investment Programme funding for 2011-12, broken down by local authority, and, if so, on what basis.

Alex Neil: Funding levels beyond the end of the current spending review period (2010-11) are not known at present.

Income

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the median hourly rates of pay were for (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment in each of the last three years for which information is available.

John Swinney: The preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which is carried out by the Office for National Statistics.

  The following table shows the median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in Scotland in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The median is the recommended measure of average earnings as opposed to the mean.

  Median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in Scotland (£):

  

 
 2007
 2008
 2009


 Full-time
 10.98
 11.48
 11.99


 Part-time
 7.21
 7.68
 8.00



  Source: Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates are based on the pay excluding overtime for employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

  2. The estimates are based on a sample survey, and as such, are subject to sampling error.

Income

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the median hourly rates of pay were for (a) men in full-time employment, (b) women in full-time employment and (c) women in part-time employment in each of the last three years for which information is available.

John Swinney: The preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which is carried out by the Office for National Statistics.

  The following table shows the median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in Scotland by gender in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The median is the recommended measure of average earnings as opposed to the mean.

  Median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in Scotland by gender (£):

  

 
 
 2007
 2008
 2009


 Male
 Female
 Male
 Female
 Male
 Female


 Full-time
 11.59
 10.21
 12.04
 10.74
 12.39
 11.33


 Part-time
 7.09
 7.24
 7.07
 7.84
 7.62
 8.04



  Source: Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings

  Notes:

  1. The estimates are based on the pay excluding overtime for employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

  2. The estimates are based on a sample survey, and as such, are subject to sampling error.

Income

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the median hourly rates of pay were for (a) men in full-time employment, (b) women in full-time employment and (c) women in part-time employment in the public sector in each of the last three years for which information is available.

John Swinney: The preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which is carried out by the Office for National Statistics.

  The following table shows the median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in the public sector in Scotland by gender in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The median is the recommended measure of average earnings as opposed to the mean.

  Table – Median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in the public sector in Scotland by gender (£):

  

 
 
 2007
 2008
 2009


 Male
 Female
 Male
 Female
 Male
 Female


 Full-time
 13.08
 12.53
 13.77
 13.06
 14.54
 13.76


 Part-time
 11.17
 8.26
 9.49
 9.22
 10.67
 9.80



  Source: Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates are based on the pay excluding overtime for employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

  2. The estimates are based on a sample survey, and as such, are subject to sampling error.

Income

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the median hourly rates of pay were for (a) men in full-time employment, (b) women in full-time employment and (c) women in part-time employment in the private sector in each of the last three years for which information is available.

John Swinney: The preferred source for earnings estimates is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which is carried out by the Office for National Statistics.

  The following table shows the median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in the private sector in Scotland by gender in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The median is the recommended measure of average earnings as opposed to the mean.

  Median gross hourly pay excluding overtime for full-time and part-time employee jobs in the private sector in Scotland by gender (£):

  

 
 2007
 2008
 2009


 
 Male
 Female
 Male
 Female
 Male
 Female


 Full time
 10.81
 8.56
 11.21
 8.95
 11.44
 9.00


 Part time
 6.11
 6.11
 6.29
 6.33
 6.50
 6.48



  Source: Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates are based on the pay excluding overtime for employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.

  2. The estimates are based on a sample survey, and as such, are subject to sampling error.

Justice

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what provisions are in place to support doctors who take time out to visit schools and teach children about the dangers of knife-related crime.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government is providing £80,000 in funding to support Medics Against Violence, a charity set up by three Scottish surgeons to tackle the problem of youth violence. They have recruited over 100 healthcare professionals who have pledged to volunteer their time to take part in projects to reduce violence. They currently deliver anti-violence lessons in schools designed to warn young people about the dangers of carrying a knife and demonstrate the impact violence has on the lives of victims, their families and the professionals who work with them.

  I was pleased to meet some of those involved with Medics Against Violence at its launch in December 2008, and I am sure the member will wish to join me in congratulating them on their continuing efforts to reduce violence in Scotland.

Justice

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a judge, at any level, can hear an appeal regarding a case that he or she heard in the first instance.

Kenny MacAskill: There is no written rule about this, but for reasons of common sense judges do not sit on appeals against their own decisions.

  In civil procedure, this is avoided institutionally by the existence of the separate appellate judiciary of the Inner House of the Court of Session. It does remain possible for an appellate bench to include a member of the Outer House (or for an Inner House judge to sit in the Outer House) and the volume of work means that this is often the case. However, such a bench would not be composed so as to include the first instance decision maker. If that happened by accident, the judge has the responsibility of declining jurisdiction.

  However, there are some situations which may appear as if they involve a judge sitting on an appeal against his own decision but are not. These include:

  (a) a judge reviewing his or her own decision in circumstances where that is appropriate (e.g. correction of an earlier order not properly made; variation of an order; recall of an order made on an ex parte basis), and

  (b) a judge sitting as part of an appeal bench which is considering a matter on which, in an another case, the judge has given a ruling on the law. There is nothing to prevent such a judge from ruling on the law in the appeal.

  In criminal procedure appeals from JPs, Sheriffs and other High Court judges are heard by quorum of Judges of the High court of Justiciary sitting as a court of appeal. There are generally two judges in sentence appeals and three judges in appeals against conviction. In appeals from a High Court case the trial judge will not be one of the two or three appeal judges. Appeals go through a sifting process but the original judge does not have a part in the sifting decision.

  A single judge, who has heard certain limited applications in connection with an appeal may sit as a member of the court dealing with an appeal. That judge would not be the judge who made the original decision being appealed.

  Bail decisions may be reviewed by the original JP, sheriff or judge when there is a change in circumstances. This does not however affect the right of appeal. Bail appeals are heard by the High Court of Justiciary and may be decided by one judge.

  There are certain circumstances where parties require to seek leave to appeal from the original JP, sheriff or judge. Refusal is not always appealable if the decision is not the final decision in the case. This would not however affect the right to appeal the final decision.

Justice

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when will it publish guidance for businesses involved in the manufacture and rental of sgian dubhs following the ban on the carrying of knives over 3.5 inches.

Fergus Ewing: The restriction on carrying of articles with blades or sharp points in a public place originates in the Carrying of Knives etc. (Scotland) Act 1993 and is now contained in section 49 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995. There is an exception for folding pocketknives with a blade not exceeding three inches, and a defence where the article is for use at work, for religious reasons, or part of any national costume.

  The Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 introduces a regime for the licensing of knife dealers, including those who sell or hire. The Knife Dealers (Exceptions) Order 2009 excepts from the regime skean dhus whose blades do not exceed 3.5 inches. The knife dealer licensing regime has no effect on the legality of carrying skean dhus, which continues to be governed by section 49 of the 1995 Act.

Malnutrition

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to incentivise better identification of people with malnutrition in the community.

Shona Robison: GPs assess individuals, including their nutrition and weight issues where appropriate, which is part of the essential services of the general medical services contract. In addition, the GP contract incentivises GP practices to assess BMI of individuals in certain specified circumstances. Also Community nurses (district nurses) assess adult/older people holistically which would include nutritional status and where required initiate nutritional supplements, in consultation with the GP.

Maternity Services

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many babies were transferred by (a) the Scottish Neonatal Transport Service and (b) air ambulance in each of the last five years in order to receive neonatal care.

Shona Robison: The following tables set out Scottish Neonatal Transport Activity, by region, from 2003-04 to 2008-09.

  Scottish Neonatal Transport Activity

  

 
 
 Number
 Emergency
 Out-of-Hours
 Air


 2003-04
 West
 632
 192
 264
 33


 
 South East
 285
 111
 59
 2


 
 North
 280
 129
 83
 25


 
 Total
 1,197
 432
 406
 60


 2004-05
 West
 709
 246
 287
 51


 
 South East
 333
 132
 111
 4


 
 North
 231
 118
 123
 30


 
 Total
 1,273
 496
 521
 85


 2005-06
 West
 679
 197
 381
 50


 
 South East
 343
 106
 157
 2


 
 North
 295
 84
 155
 32


 
 Total
 1,317
 387
 693
 84


 2006-07
 West
 566
 166
 284
 48


 
 South East
 324
 102
 165
 1


 
 North
 319
 74
 149
 26


 
 Total
 1,209
 342
 598
 75


 2007-08
 West
 660
 174
 382
 40


 
 South East
 376
 118
 188
 4


 
 North
 363
 120
 181
 42


 
 Total
 1,399
 412
 751
 86


 2008-09
 West
 625
 210
 189
 47


 
 South East
 419
 131
 147
 3


 
 North
 481
 162
 158
 92


 
 Total
 1,525
 503
 494
 142



  Source: Scottish Neonatal Transport Service.

Mental Health

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether adequate services are in place to assess and meet the mental health needs of asylum seekers and refugees.

Shona Robison: Asylum seekers and refugees have access to all NHS services on the same basis as the local population and NHS boards will ensure their mental health needs are met on the basis of comprehensive needs assessment and delivery of culturally sensitive services.

  In addition, with Scottish Government funding, NHS Health Scotland runs a multi-agency programme of mental health improvement work with asylum seekers in Glasgow. The Sanctuary project is run with a range of partners including the Scottish Refugee Council; the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The three main strands of the project are: (1) mental health awareness-raising with asylum seekers and refugees through community conversations; (2) specialised training for mental health staff across a range of sectors regarding the particular mental health needs of asylum seekers and refugees, and (3) a DVD about the asylum seeking process and its impact on mental health, which is to be incorporated into the training.

Ophthalmic Services

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the changes introduced by the Medicines (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2009 and the Medicines for Human Use (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2009 clarifying the position of dispensing opticians in relation to ordering, supplying and using certain drugs in community optometric practices, whether it plans to formally recognise dispensing opticians as providers of eyecare.

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce comprehensive lists of dispensing opticians claiming public money for providing general ophthalmic services.

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the eligibility of contact lens opticians to now instil eye drugs, whether they will be formally recognised as providers of eyecare services and have access to appropriate training to maintain their competence levels.

Shona Robison: There are no current plans to amend the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978 to allow for NHS boards to make arrangements with dispensing opticians to provide general ophthalmic services. However, we will keep the position under review.

Post Office

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the findings of the Consumer Focus Wales report, Post Office Closures: Impact of the Network Change Programme , have implications for Scotland’s experience of the Network Change Programme and its impact on social inclusion in Scotland.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government recognises the important social and economic role that post offices play in both urban and rural communities across Scotland. The report helps confirm that similar issues exist in both Wales and Scotland in respect of Network Change. The UK Government is of course responsible for post office matters under the current devolution settlement. As with many other areas, this Government’s view is that enhancing the powers of this Parliament would better serve Scotland’s interests.

Prison Service

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-31328 by Kenny MacAskill on 23 February 2010, what types of drug are being found in prisons.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS do not determine the type or category of drugs recovered. Substances recovered are sent to the police.

  It is believed that the principal drug types recovered within Scottish Prisons are Heroin, Cocaine, Cannabis, and unlawfully held prescription medication.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) capital and (b) revenue funding was spent on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s building and facilities at Strathpeffer Road in Dingwall in each of the last 10 years.

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s workforce by (a) local authority area and (b) function.

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s workforce by (a) local authority area and (b) full-time equivalents at each pay grade.

Roseanna Cunningham: This is an operational matter for SEPA. I have asked Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA, to respond to your question.

Scottish Funding Council

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-9722 by Keith Brown on 4 March 2010 ( Official Report c. 24271), whether it will clarify how many times it has met representatives of the Scottish Funding Council to discuss the New Campus Glasgow complex and proposed merger.

Keith Brown: A total of seven meetings has taken place to discuss one or other of these issues.

Scottish Government Staff

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff were on secondment in 2007-08, broken down by (a) organisation to which they were seconded, (b) purpose, (c) duration and (d) cost.

John Swinney: Information on the purpose, duration and cost of individual secondments is not collated centrally.

  In 2007-08 the Scottish Government had 149 staff out on secondment, this includes staff on loan to other government departments. The organisations to which they were seconded are detailed in the following table.

  Number of Scottish Government Staff out on Secondment/loan During 2007-08

  

 Organisation
 


 Aberdeen City Council
 1


 Association of Chief Police Officers In Scotland
 1


 Billy Wright Inquiry
 7


 Cabinet Office
 3


 Cairngorms National Park Authority
 2


 City of Edinburgh Council
 2


 Convention of Scottish Local Authorities 
 2


 Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service
 7


 Department of International Development 
 5


 Department of Trade and Industry 
 1


 Department of Work and Pensions
 2


 Edinburgh University
 3


 European Commission
 8


 EventScotland
 1


 Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 1


 Foreign and Commonwealth Office-UK Representation to the EU
 1


 Forestry Commission
 3


 Fraser Institute of Allander
 1


 Glasgow City Council
 4


 Glasgow Equal Access Initiative
 1


 Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency
 1


 Glasgow University
 1


 Grampian Police
 1


 Her Majesty’s Treasury
 4


 Home Office
 4


 Household of TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall
 1


 ICL Public Inquiry
 2


 Improvement Service
 2


 Learning & Teaching Scotland
 4


 Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland
 1


 Lothian and Borders Police Emergency Planning Unit
 1


 Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland
 1


 Midlothian Council
 1


 Ministry of Justice
 1


 Mobility Access Committee Scotland/Public Transport Users Committee
 5


 Office of Fair Trading
 1


 Office of Government Commerce - Buying Solutions
 1


 Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust
 1


 Project Scotland
 1


 Registers Of Scotland
 1


 Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
 1


 Rural Payments Authority
 1


 Scotland Excel
 1


 Scottish Coal
 1


 Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
 2


 Scottish Council Foundation
 1


 Scottish Courts Service
 6


 Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency
 1


 Scottish Development International
 2


 Scottish Enterprise
 3


 Scottish Environment Protection Agency
 2


 Scottish Financial Enterprise
 1


 Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education
 4


 Scottish Parliament
 19


 Scottish Premier League
 1


 Scottish Prison Service
 2


 Standard Life
 1


 Stirling Council
 1


 Tayside Police
 1


 The Crown Estate
 1


 The Crown Office
 1


 The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
 1


 Treasury Solicitors Department
 1


 UK Trade and Investment 
 1


 University of Stirling
 1


 VSO Scotland
 1

Scottish Government Staff

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff were on secondment in 2008-09, broken down by (a) organisation to which they were seconded, (b) purpose, (c) duration and (d) cost.

John Swinney: Information on the purpose, duration and cost of individual secondments is not collated centrally.

  In 2008-09 the Scottish Government had 149 staff out on secondment, this includes staff on loan to other government departments. The organisations to which they were seconded are detailed in the following table.

  Number of Scottish Government Staff Out On Secondment/loan During 2008-09

  

 Organisation
 


 Australian Federal Government
 1


 Billy Wright Inquiry
 6


 British Red Cross
 1


 Cabinet Office
 2


 Cairngorms National Park Authority
 3


 Care Commission
 1


 City of Edinburgh Council
 2


 Convention of Scottish Local Authorities 
 2


 Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service
 7


 Department of International Development 
 6


 Department of Work and Pensions
 2


 Edinburgh University
 2


 European Commission
 4


 Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 2


 Foreign and Commonwealth Office-UK Representation to the EU
 1


 Forestry Commission
 3


 Fraser Institute of Allander
 1


 Glasgow Centre for Population Health
 1


 Glasgow City Council
 1


 Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency
 1


 Grampian Police
 1


 Her Majesty’s Treasury
 4


 Historic Scotland
 2


 Home Office
 2


 ICL Public Inquiry
 2


 Improvement Service
 3


 Learning & Teaching Scotland
 4


 Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland
 1


 Lord Presidents Private Office
 1


 Lothian and Borders Police Emergency Planning Unit
 1


 Mental Health Tribunal
 2


 Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland
 1


 Midlothian Council
 1


 Ministry of Justice
 2


 NHS - Fife
 1


 NHS Health Scotland
 1


 NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
 1


 Office of Climate Change
 1


 Office of Fair Trading
 1


 Office of Government Commerce - Buying Solutions
 1


 Office of the Chief Investigating Officer
 1


 Penrose Inquiry
 2


 Perth and Kinross Council
 1


 Royal Bank of Scotland
 1


 Scotland Excel
 1


 Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
 1


 Scottish Courts Service
 6


 Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency
 1


 Scottish Development International
 3


 Scottish Enterprise
 3


 Scottish Environment Protection Agency
 2


 Scottish Financial Enterprise
 1


 Scottish Football Association
 1


 Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education
 3


 Scottish Law Commission
 1


 Scottish Parliament
 16


 Scottish Police Services Authority
 1


 Scottish Premier League
 1


 Scottish Prison Service
 3


 Scottish Water
 1


 Skills Development Scotland
 1


 Standard Life
 1


 State Government of Victoria, Australia
 1


 The Crown Office
 1


 The Fingerprint Inquiry
 5


 The Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust
 1


 The Sustainability Commission
 1


 Treasury Solicitors Department
 1


 UK Borders Agency
 1


 UK Trade and Investment 
 1


 University of Stirling
 1


 University of Strathclyde
 1


 Wise Group
 1

Sex Offenders

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will be able to provide an update on what the motivational element to encourage further participation of prisoners in appropriate interventions, such as the Sex Offender Treatment Programme, is likely to involve and how it will be used.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The key element is to support individuals to effectively engaging in appropriate interventions, such as the new Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP).

  For some prisoners the challenges of taking part in an offending behaviour programme raises fears and concerns. To address these issues it is intended to deliver a preparatory group for prisoners in need of this support prior to starting the full programme in order to maximise their responsivity to the intervention.

Social Care

Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to increase the use of self-directed support by users of health and social care services.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government’s vision to increase the uptake of Self Directed Support is outlined in our National Strategy that is currently subject to consultation.

  Soon we will also consult on proposals for new Self Directed Support legislation. These proposals are designed to consolidate and extend existing legislation.

Sport

Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many overseas sporting competitors have come to Scotland to compete in each year since 2000.

Shona Robison: The information requested is not held centrally. We anticipate that there are potentially a large number of overseas competitors who attend sporting events in Scotland (such as athletic meets, Mountain Bike World Championships etc), however there is currently no mechanism in place to record or track this data.

Transport

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs in the haulage industry there were in each year since 1999.

John Swinney: Number of jobs in the haulage industry for each year from 1999 is shown in the following table:

  Number of Employee Jobs

  

 Year
 


 1999
 24,100


 2000
 22,600


 2001
 24,900


 2002
 21,700


 2003
 21,400


 2004
 24,800


 2005
 24,500


 2006
 21,100


 2007
 23,500


 2008
 20,900



  Source: Annual Business Inquiry, Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1. 2008 is the most recent published information in this series.

  2. Information is for Standard Industrial Classification (2003) 6024: Freight transport by road.

  3. Data have been rounded to nearest hundred.

Wheelchairs

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS boards have established wheelchair user groups as required by the wheelchair action plan.

Shona Robison: All territorial NHS boards have either established a wheelchair user and carer group, or network, or are in the process of finalising their models of user engagement.